July 14I went fishing again today sold 70 cents ($10.29 today) worth and lost Denning’s line. Co. F & a detail from each company in the Regiment went up the river this evening to be gone 30 days.

July 15I went fishing again early this morning. Sold 60 cents ($8.82 today) worth. Came in quarters at 7 am & went barbering. Made 50 cents ($7.35 today)

July 16In camp today fixing fishing tickle. And using the best means I can to kill time. We had Sunday morning inspection at 8am.

July 17Denning & me went fishing again today did not have much luck.

July 18The orders for drill [were] renewed again today we have to drill 3 hours today. I am pestered with sore hand so I can’t drill.

July 19I went to the surgeon and got excused from drill on the strength of my sore hand. Shaved 12 men. [Ate] my dinner and so concluded the [day]. The Gen. Banks arrived from New Orleans.

July 20I mailed a letter for Hattie this today. I am on guard at the commissary today. The Banks left here at 11 am.

July 21I was relieved this morning at 7:00. Came in my quarters got some breakfast and slept nearly the remainder of the day.

July 22In quarters today. Have shaved a number of the men and drilled one hour and a half. There are all sorts of Rumors through the Regiment about going home, but all false.

July 23Had Sunday morning inspection at 8:00. In camp all day.

July 23On guard today at the commissary. The thermometer stands at 105 degrees.

July 24Chancy and me went up the River today and returned at 3 o'clock.

July 26The 161 Regiment received orders to report to [Tortugas] immediately. We left Apalachicola at 5 o’clock and got on board Steamer McCullum at 10o’clock at the West Pass.

July 27We left West Pass at 4 o’clock this am and sailed out to sea. The is very pleasant and we glide along handsomely.

July 28The sea was quite rough during the night but is calm this morning. We arrive at [Dry Tortugas] at 3pm and land & took quarters in the Fort [Jefferson].

[Fort Jefferson is a massive, unfinished coastal fortress located on Garden Key (formerly known as Bush Key) in the lower Florida Keys within the Dry Tortugas National Park, about 70 miles west of the island of Key West; source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Jefferson_(Florida).

July 29I have spent this day in cleaning my gun fixing bunk & barbering. 7pm now I am going to take a walk around the fort.

July 30I am on duty today for the first time in Fort Jefferson. [Dillistin] and [Vanduzor] [were] detailed to go to Key West to do duty. Then I wrote wife a letter.

[Legrand Vanduzor, age 23, enlisted at Torry, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as private, Co. B, January 14, 1864; mustered out with company, November 12, 1865 at Tallahassee, FL.Israel Dillistin, age 36, enlisted September 3, 1864 at Avon, to serve one year; mustered in as private, Co. B, September 6, 1864; mustered out with company, September 20, 1865, at Fort Jefferson, FL.Source: https://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civil/rosters/Infantry/161st_Infantry_CW_Roster.pdf]

July 31There [have] been several details made for daily duty today and we have drawn 10-day rations.